Bill > S775

This bill, known as Alex DeCroce's Law, enhances the rights of crime victims under New Jersey's "Crime Victim's Bill of Rights" by expanding protections against intimidation, harassment, or abuse from any person, including the defendant or those acting on their behalf, and ensuring victims receive reasonable medical assistance related to the incident. It also mandates timely notification if court appearances are unnecessary or adjourned, allows victims to confer with a prosecutor's representative about case progress and final disposition, and requires prosecuting agencies to consider a victim's written statement about the crime's impact before making decisions on filing charges, plea agreements, or pretrial intervention programs. Furthermore, the bill grants victims the right to be present at judicial or juvenile proceedings involving criminal offenses, to be notified of a defendant's release or escape, and to have standing to enforce their rights in court, including the ability to file motions and receive judicial decisions on those motions. In homicide cases, victims' survivors are now permitted to display a photograph of the victim to the sentencing court and wear a button with the victim's picture during judicial proceedings, provided it doesn't jeopardize the defendant's right to a fair trial, and importantly, victims will not be required to pay for the costs associated with the imprisonment or commitment of their offenders.